Treating Elderly Depression with Electroconvulsive Therapy

One of the most feared terms in connection with the treatment of elderly depression is electroconvulsive therapy (often abbreviated as ECT). Much of the bad reputation this treatment form has received rests of course on movie depictions and on the actual misuse of the procedure at the hands of untrained individuals.

To be honest, ECT is a drastic treatment and it is used sparingly and only for cases that are considered extreme in their symptoms for elderly depression. Treating elderly depression with electroconvulsive therapy is indeed a rare occurrence because of the side effects the treatment has, and because the advanced age of the geriatric patient does not make them a good candidate for this form of attention.

Yet at the same time, in patients that evidence no only severe depression but possibly may have been classified as suicidal and may present with more than just one diagnosed mental illness and also when other attempts at treatment have proven to be futile, ECT is sometimes the only methodology open to the psychiatrist who is seeking to improve the affected senior's life and mental health. The application of the process is usually done during general anesthesia.

The patient will have electrodes hooked up to certain locations on the scalp where the hair will have been removed. A meticulously calibrated electrical current is then sent through the electrodes, mimicking a brain seizure. The most commonly noted side effect associated with this treatment is a temporary memory loss and a sense of confusion surrounding not only the patient's current whereabouts but also the treatment itself.

ECT treatments are not one time only events but instead are administered up to three times per week for two weeks at a time; sometimes the quantity of treatments may have to be increased so as to span four weeks. Truthfully, the results of ECT are astounding and many have actually chosen to undergo the treatment because it offers radical, almost instantaneous betterment of symptoms.

At the same time, psychiatrists are warning those suffering from elderly depression to remember that ECT is not a silver bullet in the fight against the illness, but instead it is a treatment option which, when combined with psychotherapy and psychotropic drugs yields a good opportunity for improvement.

Like any other treatment, it is wise to seek a second opinion if you are not entirely certain that you are a good candidate for this treatment option or if you do not feel comfortable signing on the dotted line giving your consent to the treatment. Even if all those involved agree that this is the most promising avenue open for your feeling better for a prolonged period of time, remember that you still have the legal right to refuse this kind of treatment if you have decided in your heart to do so. It might be an unwise move on your part, but an important aspect of seeking mental health help rests on the fact that you are the ultimate decision maker and thus empowered to give or withhold your consent at will.

Retiree Travel - How to Avoid DVT

Traveling is one of life's little pleasures once you retire. But did you know that there are certain risks with travel? Whether you fly on an airplane or sit for hours in a car, you could be at risk for deep vein thrombosis or DVT. You might have heard some horror stories of so and so's uncle who got it and died on the airplane or someone's Great Aunt Alice who died on a Greyhound bus traveling on another casino trip.

This DVT condition occurs when a blood clot suddenly develops and breaks off traveling to a crucial organ and impeding its function. A blood clot in the heart, lungs or brain can kill you before you can even get medical help. That is why DVT can strike fear in many older adults who travel. Of course, it can happen to younger people as well.

You've probably heard of the blood clots that can form while you are in an airplane. You think that these can be attributed to as much the cabin pressure as immobility. However, this same life-threatening blood clot can occur on a car trip, bus trip, train trip or any other mode of transportation where you do not have room to stretch out and move around. Heck, even sitting for hours knitting, watching television or sitting at the computer could put you at risk.

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when blood clots form in deep veins. These are the large blood vessels that run along the middle of an arm or leg and surrounded by muscles. Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a clot blocks a vein, even partially, to hinder blood circulation. A blood clot can also break off and travel through your blood stream as mentioned above lodging in a vital organ, effectively hindering its normal function.

Part of preventing deep vein thrombosis is educating you on ways to prevent it. There is great news however in reducing your chances of deep vein thrombosis. First of all, get exercise and staying physical is important. When possible, walk around the airplane cabin or stop your car and take a walk. This will keep your circulation in check. Keep hydrated by drinking water and avoiding dehydrating drinks like alcohol and sodas.

If you have recently had surgery or have heart disease or diabetes, you should talk with your doctor about your risks of travel in terms of developing deep vein thrombosis. At the very least, you will be prescribed support stockings which helps promote better blood circulation. Blood thinner medication may be another possibility depending on your illness or physical condition.

It is important that before you go on any trip where you may be sitting for any length of time, visit with your doctor. Explain your concerns and get some advice on how to prevent deep vein thrombosis from happening to you, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions. It is great that you want to travel during your retirement. However, you need to take the proper precautions to ensure your safety.

How Communication Promotes Healthy Aging

It pays to communicate frequently with your health care manager. When you communicate frequently, you cut back the risks of various diseases that affect the elderly. Studies show that people who frequently discuss their health with doctors live a longer and healthier life.


How far communication stretches:
Communication reaches further however than verbal words. When you doctor reviews your health, you should be willing to participate. Participation includes joining your doctors to find treatments or cures for your condition. In addition, you can communicate well with your doctor if you take the time to learn about healthcare, medicines, illnesses and so on. You not only stay informed, but you can help your doctor find treatments when the condition is swaying. For instance, if you are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and have knowledge of the condition, you can provide your doctor pointers when the condition causes confusion.

Arthritis is commonly seen in older people. One of the leading causes is due to injuries and bones that hadn't healed during the injury. The patient may have lacked knowledge to strengthen the bones, muscles and joints, thus the condition lead to arthritis. Hereditary factors key into arthritis as well according to few experts. It is up to your bone structure and genetics that decide if you get arthritis. Contrary to these theories, it may be worth while learning, since arthritis is treatable when you catch it at its earliest stage.


Alzheimer's is a mental disorder that affects the intellectual functions. At the earliest stage, doctors state that cures are available. The problem is due to lack of knowledge from learning many elders visit the doctors at the later stage. Now we do not have a cure. Now, it these people would have took interest in their own health and various disorders that interrupt elders, thus they would probably miss dementia. Dementia derives from Alzheimer's disease, which at this stage the disease starts progressing.


Cancer is another disease that affects millions of our older generation. Cancers according to experts may have a chance if only the patient would have taking time to study and learn. As well, if the patient would have visited the doctor regularly, if the patient would have studied health care, thus this patient may had a cure. Since few people take the time to learn about health care, we have a world filled with patients dying from cancer, since no cures are available.


On the other hand, new studies has shown that the blood from a newborns umbilical cord may heal certain types of cancer. The blood is frozen after tested and stored to treat leukemia or other cancer patients. The blood creates new cells at rapid paces, which is great for restoring dying cells. As we grow older the dying, cells accumulate while the living cells degenerate. Perhaps these studiers of medicines has found their cure.

When you take time to communicate with your doctor and study health care, you will have the time to live for healthy aging.

Keep in mind the body's functions begin to decline when you turn 30. In spite of the facts, when you are young it is time to take action by communicating with your doctor regularly and learning more about healthy aging and disease.


Food for thought:
To stay healthy you will need a primary health care provider. You will need to continue visits, participate in testing, cures, treatments and so on. You will need to contact your doctor when symptoms emerge, which you know by now since you took time to learn about disease before it was too late!

Everything That You Need To Know About Social Security Retirement

There are so many different and yet equally important things that you need to know about when it comes to the matter of social security retirement, and so if you are interested in the issue of social security retirement, or at the same time if you have no idea what social security retirement even is, then you are definitely going to want to read on so that you can learn more about it.

What Social Security Retirement Is

Basically, social security retirement is a type of retirement savings account which is set up in order to save you money so that you will have some once you retire. However, the main difference with a social security retirement account when compared to any other is the fact that you use your social security money to save in it.

There are actually many pros and cons to this method of retirement investing, and so this is why it is so very important to learn about something like this thoroughly before you get yourself involved in it.

One of the biggest cons to going this route is that rather than saving up other money and then having that much more in the end, what is going to happen here is that you are going to be using your social security money as it comes in to save for your retirement investment money.

After all, if you keep and use your social security money as it comes in and then put other money towards your retirement account, then you are going to be better off overall, because you are always going to have money, rather than having to struggle simply so that you can live comfortably once you retire.

You just have to make sure that you think everything through clearly and intelligently before you go ahead with anything, because you want to be as informed and as knowledgeable as you possibly can be before you do anything, so that you are aware and so that you know what you are doing and will not end up getting yourself in trouble.

Take your time, have patience, and take advantage of all the help that is all around you. Speak to a financial advisor for instance, and see what they have to say about your particular situation, because they are definitely going to have some really great advice to give to you.

The Normal Aging Processes You Can Expect

Getting old is a gradual process. Each person is different and will show their age in various ways. A large part of how you age depends on your genetic history. However, in this day and age of technology, you can make some important lifestyle decisions which can control some of the aging process to a certain extent.

Below are some of the most common signs of aging that are normal. Keep in mind that due to lifestyle choices and genetics, some of these signs may or may not apply to your. And always remember, regardless of your DNA, healthy lifestyle choices can make a difference in how you age.

1. Hair - Is there any wonder why older adults typically turn gray-headed? As you age, your hair loses its pigmentation and it can also change in texture too. Also, with age comes thinning hair all over your body. Your pubic area, arm pits, head and even arms and legs will have less hair growth.

2. Hearing - With age, you lose the ability to recognize high frequency sound changes. Inflections of tone and speech are also harder to detect.

3. Skin - Your largest body organ, the skin, shows the most signs of aging. As you age, your skin loses elasticity which creates wrinkles and lines. You will notice that your fingernails take longer to grow too. Those oil glands that created quite a ruckus in the teen years slow down production and as a result, you may experience dry skin. By always applying sunscreen as well as moisturizer, you can slow down the signs of aging. Be sure to keep hydrated too as your fluid intake also affects the skin.

4. Height - Compression of discs in the spine as well as compression of joints and even bone loss and density can all play a part in losing as much as two inches in height by the time you are in your 80's. By taking care to get plenty of calcium and vitamin D for strong bones, you can retard the process.

5. Bones - As mentioned above about height, vitamin D and calcium play a big role in bone density and health. In menopause, women can experience bone loss so a diet rich in the essential vitamins as well as weight training exercises can help can bone density at normal levels. Medications and avoiding caffeinated beverages can also help with bone health.

6. Vision - It is part of the natural aging process to have some trouble with seeing at night or to have a sharp focus. Therefore, glasses are needed to make those necessary vision adjustments. Glare is also a problem.

7. Metabolism - Your metabolism slows down in age as well. Therefore, you should adjust your diet to fewer calories while boosting your physical activity. As your body does not burn the calories as efficiently, these two approaches are best for metabolism problems.

There are a whole host of aging issues you can expect such as slower brain and reflex processes. These changes can be greatly enhanced by keeping your brain engaged with mental exercises such as crosswords and puzzles. Heart, kidneys and lungs start to slow down too, so you have to make appropriate lifestyle choices such as no smoking or alcohol to keep them as healthy as possible.

That old saying, "the day you are born is the day you start to die" is rather apt. The best defense against the aging process is clean living, avoid bad habits and get plenty of exercise. The rest is up to your DNA.

How To Recognize Elderly Depression

The symptoms of elderly depression are much like the symptoms of depression experienced by those who are younger. The symptoms are physical or emotional and are usually intense in nature. The symptoms of depression in the elderly individual may signal clinical depression or major depression. The depression may also turn out to be a symptom in itself of a illness or condition.

Symptoms to watch for when you are concerned about an elderly person are:

* Noticing that they are in an irritable mood often

* Are expressing feelings of sadness or grief that are not associated with a life event or loss

* You notice that they are experiencing bad temper bouts that are unusual for them

* There is a change in their appetite, which typically is a loss of appetite

* You may notice that there clothes do not fit (too loose or too tight) which inticates that they are not eating properly or that they may be eating too much in response to their feelings of depression

* You notice that they are always looking fatigued and expressing that they are always tired.

* They are complaining of having frequent memory loss

* They are saying that they are having abnormal thoughts or excessive or inappropriate guilt

* They are expressing thoughts of suicide or have made plans of suicide or have taken action to commit suicide.

Signs that caregivers and loved ones should look out for if they are concerned about depression in a elderly loved one:

Extreme sadness, or fatigue

The individual has lost interest in activities that previously held their interest

Their clothes appear loose as if they have lost weight or they appear to have gained weight

The seem to have lost appetite and may even have stopped eating on a regular basis

They appear to have a fixation with death

They may have increased their consumption of alcohol or drugs

They complain of vague aches or pain

Sleep may come with difficulty or they awake frequently during the night, or they oversleep or even possibly experience daytime sleepiness

They express feelings of worthlessness, or self-loathing

They may have unrealistic fears of death, or of losing loved ones, or even fear health issues or financial loss

When the elderly become depressed they may not admit to being sad or even deny being depressed. Actions can usually betray how they really are feeling. Those who suspect that an elderly person may be depressed should look for signs that the individual may be irritable, or experiencing a prolonged or unrealistic period of mourning following a loss (financial, loss of loved one or a loved pet). They may lack the energy level that they normal exhibit or show a lower than normal motivation level for an activity that used to motivate them to action.

Perhaps the best way to recognize elderly depression is to observe action or talk that is totally different than what is normal for that individual. Taking time to be with and observe the person that you are concerned with should give you an idea of whether or not they are functioning at a normal level.

Military Retirement: A Need to Stay Abreast With Rules And Regulations

Military retirement offers retirees a number of benefits that reward the many years of service given in defending the country. No doubt it is a radical change from the days spent in uniform, and the military personnel will need to readjust to life outside of the military. So, before retiring it is important that the retiree be aware of all the benefits as well as entitlements that he or she will get so that maximum advantage is derived from the retirement plans.

Unmatched Retirement Plan

Military retirement system is possibly unmatched and is different from the majority of retirement plans available in that it gives the retiree a pension along with benefits which will begin the day that the military personnel retires - regardless of the age of the retiree. In effect, it means that even at the youthful age of thirty-seven years, a retiree could be enjoying a retirement pension and these checks will increase to adjust with the cost of living.

To get these military retirement benefits would involve considering a number of related factors that the military retirement system incorporates such as entering service prior to September 1980, which would make you qualify for 'Final Pay' retirement system. If you entered service between September 8, 1980 and August 1986, you would fall in the High 36 system, and if you entered service after August 1986 then you are eligible for High 36 retirement system, or the 'Career Status Bonus/REDUX (CSB)' retirement system.

Military retirement also touches a number of other topics including concurrent receipt, combat related special compensation, computing retired pay, COLA for retirees, extra social security earnings, retired pay centers as well as retired pay checks and more. Under the law, a number of provisions will be used to calculate the compensation paid to military retirees, though retired pay is generally arrived at on the basis of how long in service the retiree was, or on a percentage of disability.

Another aspect of military retirement is retired concurrent receipt, which means getting military retirement benefits along with compensation for VA disability that was until 2004, not allowed under the law. Before 2004, for a retiree to get VA disability compensation the disabled person would have to forfeit all or a portion of the military pay. However, following 2004, the law has been changed and now military retirees that are disabled can get both full military retirement pay as well as the compensation for VA disability.

It only goes to show that military retirees need to stay abreast of all the rules and regulations concerning military retirement in order to get the most benefits and entitlements available to them.

Good habits for aging gracefully

Getting to be older doesn't mean that you have to have any less of a good time. You may need to pay a little more attention to your health and the way you perform activities, but on a whole, it is completely possible to live a happy and fulfilling life while growing old. In this article, we'll offer you some tips that can help to keep you in sound body and mind as you grow older.

Keeping a proper diet is of the utmost importance to a senior citizen. Experts contend that you should get most of your calories from carbohydrates as they are easily digestable and help to provide your body with the energy that it needs. Also, try to aim for foods that are low in fat but high in dietary fiber. You should also consider adopting a vitamin supplement plan in order to ensure that your body is getting a proper level of nutrition. There are plenty of supplements available that are tailor-made for senior citizens in order to help them to get nutrients that they may be lacking in their everyday diets. You also need to make sure that you stay well-hydrated. Many experts recommend sixty four ounces of water per day, a total of eight eight-ounce glasses. This helps to keep your body hydrated while allowing it to wash away any toxins that may be present. Also, you should begin to schedule regular check-ups with your doctor in order to affirm that your body is working in the way that it should. Preventative screenings can be immensely helpful so that you can detect problems before they become serious health issues.

Also, you need to realize that your social life is an equally important part of your health and well-being. Be sure to keep in touch with friends and family, and you'll find that both your spirits and your health are on the upswing. Try to get out and do things often to keep yourself busy. Many seniors find themselves getting lax after retirement, so be sure to keep a steady schedule of activities and tasks in order to keep your quality of life high. Additionally, you should try to get exercise for at least twenty minutes three times a week. Exercise helps to keep your body in shape, increasing your flexibility and endurance while helping to make you feel good. It will also strengthen your body and your immune system so that you will be less susceptible to illness. If you have any bad habits such as smoking or drinking, you should do your best to keep them moderated if you are not able to completely eliminate them from your life. They are known carcinogens that will damage your health to a greater degree as you age, which is a fact that you need to be aware of.

A few simple steps is all it takes to adjust to life as a senior citizen. You can still have a great time at any age, and age is just a state of mind. Here's to many years of happiness and success!

New Adventures in Healthy Aging

Life is just another adventure if you really look into its channels. On the first day we are born, we begin a new adventure to healthy aging. After a while, we take our first baby step. Our muscles, joints and bones have already started its progress of aging. Yet, we continue to use our muscles, joints and bones throughout our life to balance our weight. As we reach puberty, despite the notion that we maintained activities the muscles, joints, and bones begin to degenerate. After puberty the declination continues, which our body and minds start weakening.

Throughout our life, we depend on soluble fats to reduce heart disease. We depend nutrients that prevent high cholesterol, which affects so many of us by not eating and exercising correctly. We understand that incorporating the right amount of fibers into our bodies daily will add bulk to our stools. It will speed up to come through and out of our body. High-Fiber diets are something we rely on to slow cholesterol in which the liver produces. We use fibers to keep down the levels of cholesterol, which if increased we know can block the arteries.


Throughout our youthful days, our body changes, yet as we reach age 35 the same body we took time to maintain starts to decline, i.e. the bodily functions start to decline despite the notion that we took time to provide what our bodies needed. Along some time in our life we ask, do I need to lose weight? Many of us ask these questions followed by food binges, ignoring meals, and sitting on the couch hoping that we lose weight. Well couch potatoes, you missed the point, yet help has arrived. High fiber foods links to potential weight loss and control. Because fibers carry through our bodies, it takes some excess calories along the way. Foods that are high in soluble fat are more filling, we eat less of them, and there is the lost of more calories. When trying to lose weight be sure to consult with you doctor before hand, because it might not be the best choice for you. Diet supplements can be harmful even the fiber ones.


Our journey continues:

As we reach 40, we start to look back. Throughout our life journey, we have established a residence, vehicle, children, and more. Now that we are older, we find it harder to maintain or keep up with the bills. Seems the harder we try, the more difficult it becomes. You might say I can't afford to live here anymore by the age you reach 50. The home taxes, maintenance, etc is weighing you down. You start to wander in your mind, what should I do. First, you must ask, do I enjoy traveling and meeting new people while learning at the same time?


At this time, you begin because your situation requires adjustments. You take moments out of each day dwelling on what you need to do. You check into your community to find low-subsidized housing for seniors. You realize that one day; you may be that senior resting a community housing arrangement. If you vision this now, take action instead of waiting until you are too old to do something about your situation. Unfortunately, many older folks lose their homes, belongings, vehicles, insurance etc as they grow older, which causes them to sink into the world that leads to death. Now is the time to save your future by checking into community housing for seniors. Learn what these facilities have to offer you. In addition, if you like to travel why wait until you are too old to move. Your local travel agent to see if they have any outings planned in the future, that you might like to take. Some times travel packages are cheaper and nicer because they make the entire plan and you just go along with the flow of things. Traveling can be educational as well as a relaxation time for you. Seeing new things and meeting new people are both education. Seeing and going to new places you'll be learning about things and meeting new people you'll learn how others live and enjoy their life. Who knows socializing with others may build your relationships up for more fun and relaxation.

Have fun with your new adventure and stay healthy.

Diversity is Key in Retirement Planning

When it comes to planning your financial retirement diversity really is the key to turning a significant profit. You do not want to have all your eggs in one basket. For this reason it is an excellent idea to have a number of fingers in a number of pies, financially speaking of course, at any given time. There happen to be a lot of interpretations, unfortunately, of what it means to truly diversify your investment portfolio.

There are those who believe that to diversify your portfolio you only need to choose stocks in various sectors rather than focusing on one. This was a huge problem when the Dot Com boom went Dot Bust. Many people learned valuable lessons during this time frame and have taken it a little bit to heart. However, there is nothing to say that we will never again experience a significant stock market crash. If this were to happen and your entire retirement hopes, dreams, and funds rested on the stock market for salvation you would be in deep and shark infested waters financially as a result.

I do not mean to imply that a stock market crash is probable or imminent by any means. The closest we've come as a nation to a stock market crash in recent memory was immediately after 9-11. The good news is that safeguards were put into place years ago to prevent a crash of the scale that we all know as "The Crash". This means that while you may take heavy hits, chances are the market will recover if you are willing and able to wait it out. However, if you are putting yourself in a position to rely solely on stocks you need to take a serious look at your overall investment plan and see where changes can be made.

It goes without saying that no decision in regards to your financial future should be made without first discussing them with your financial advisor. My purpose here is to bring up questions and ideas you might wish to consider or at the very least discuss with your advisor.

My personal preference is to have some money tied up in mutual funds and other money tied up in real estate, which can provide some form of continuous income month after month. I'm not much of a gambler however and have chosen a low risk path to retirement financing and funding. There are those who are far more adventurous than I when it comes to investing in their financial futures. For those of you who are willing to take the risks there are securities as an investment in order to provide a wildly speculative ride. Securities are very risky for investors; particularly those who are novices and even some seasoned investment veterans tend to shy away from this sort of investment. If you do invest in securities, I strongly urge you not to risk your entire investment on them.

Mutual funds provide a little safer bet when it comes to your financial future. Again there are no guarantees but these are much safer bet than securities. The problem with mutual funds for many is that there are so many from which to choose that it is still a difficult decision for beginning investors to make. These decisions are the reason that a good financial advisor is so terribly important when mapping out your financial destiny.

All in one funds are essentially collections of mutual funds. These provide a safe bet for those who wish to find an easy investment possibility that is a fairly safe (if not wildly conservative) to place your money and watch it slowly grow over time. All in one funds do tend to become less aggressive in time. This means that as you age, they will become more conservative in the placement in your money in an effort to best protect it while still growing your money.

By placing a little of your money in many different places, you will see a much greater safety net when it comes to protecting your profits. Discuss your plans with your financial advisor and any concerns that you may have. Chances are they can help clear up any questions or doubts that you may have.

Keep your Senior Independence by Staying Mobile

The best way for seniors to maintain their independence past retirement is to keep moving, go places and see people. However, some retirees have trouble getting around and when someone is not mobile; sometimes they need a little boost to get their independence back. If you are a senior who loves their independence but has mobility issues, there are plenty of options to keep you integrated with people, activities and life itself.

For the most part, it's not the brain that is dysfunctional but rather some body part, chronic illness or chronic pain. A number of products and services exist to keep retirees and other seniors as independent as possible. Keeping your options open means that you are also keeping your mind open to mobile possibilities.

1. Lift Chairs - Some older people tend to slow down a bit due to arthritis, injury or just general malaise. This can hinder their ability to get in and out of chairs. Therefore, the recliner lift chair is an exceptional piece of furniture which uses a lift mechanism to raise the seat until you are practically standing. You use the same mechanism to lower yourself into the chair as well.

2. Rolling Walker with Chair - Those days of bulky, clunky walkers that go clackety-clack is gone. In their place is a rolling walker phenomenon with its own set of brakes. This rolling walker offers superior stability as well as a safe place to sit and rest. Locking brakes make for a safer walking experience. The great thing about the latest rolling walker with chairs is that is it collapsible and suitable for traveling. Plus, it weighs less than 20 pounds.

3. Pick-up Reacher - This handy device was originally created for senior gardening enthusiasts who could not reach for items out of reach on shelves nor stoop low enough to bend over and reach for something. The reacher product helps seniors to keep their independence by allowing them to fend for themselves. If you have a balance problem and you should not be using a chair or ladder to reach something, then the reacher is for you.

4. Adjustable or folding cane - What is so great about an adjustable walking cane is that you can adjust the height. Typically the shoes you wear or lack thereof could make your support requirements differ when it comes to canes. With an adjustable cane you do not have to continually purchase new ones. With the folding cane, you can take it with you traveling for easy portability.

5. Personal Motorized Scooter - For those of you who might have an illness which causes chronic pain, especially when walking, a motorized scooter is just the ticket to get around the house, neighborhood or even the grocery store and mall. Some versions of the scooter are small enough to maneuver around your home while others are strictly for the outdoors.

The five aids listed above have opened up new worlds for those retirees who wish to remain moving and independent. There are countless other products which keep seniors on their toes and allow them to enjoy their independence.

The Treatment Options for Elderly Depression

There are several treatment options available to those who are elderly and suffer from depression. The prognosis is usually very good if treatment is followed and routine appointments with professionals are kept. Treatment options can be a combination of medication, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or any by itself.

Medications:

There are four groups of medications commonly prescribed for those who are elderly and depressed. These four groups of medications are:

Tricyclics

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Selective Serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (NSRIs)

The need to take these antidepressant medications as prescribed is vitally important for the successful treatment of the depression in elderly patients. Those of advanced age may need help if they become confused, disoriented or forgetful as these factors could influence the ability to follow recommended dosage and dosage times. Side effects are common when taking antidepressants and the elderly should be made aware of this possibility and what the side effects may be so that they will be prepared and will know not to stop the medication unless instructed by a physician to do so. Stopping without medical guidance can be harmful. Statistically as many as 70% of elderly depression patients fail to take between 25% and 50% of the prescribed medications due to side effects.

Psychotherapy:

Most psychiatrists treating those with depression will typically recommend both medication and therapy/counseling (two other terms for psychotherapy). Depression "clients" jokingly call it "talking therapy", because basically the client tells the therapist about the feelings, or thoughts that are making them depressed, sad etc., and the therapist guides the client so that new coping skills are learned until the client is able to handle the situations or events that triggered the depression. In major depression or long-term depression the medication may need to be taken for extended periods of time depending on the severity of the depression and the diagnosis.

Elderly individuals with milder forms of depression may be able to be treated with psychotherapy alone but being able to talk through the life changes are beneficial for all intensities of depression. Psychotherapy is usually done individually, but can be done in group sessions or a combination.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT):

This therapy is done by a medical professional and is a procedure that uses electrical current. The theory behind ECT is that the electricity produces a mini seizure that releases chemicals in the brain. These chemicals communicate with the nerves that have the result of helping manage depression in those patients in which other treatments have failed or the patient is at high risk for suicide. This therapy is also used for individuals suffering from manic depression (episodes of mania). ECT is usually done on a regular basis with frequency depending on the doctor's direction.

The treatment options used will be part of the treatment plan designed by the doctor and the elderly individual. The medication and other therapies are wonderful tools for dealing with depression but the most important key for success revolves around the elderly individuals ability to develop coping skills and a good support network.

Self-Publish a Book During Retirement

Up to one third of folks state they think they "have a book inside them, waiting to come out". There's no better time to start writing than during your retirement! Self publish your own book today and enjoy the extra income tomorrow. Many of the one-person publishers operate right out of their own home.

Here are some reasons to self-publish:

* Even giant publishing houses accept very few manuscripts each year.

* The larger publishing companies edit manuscripts possibly in a way that may not suit you.

* You will be able to market your own book and keep all of the profits.

No wonder so many authors have chosen the self-publishing route. The availability of low cost computers have made this method much easier than in past years.

The best and easiest subjects to self-publish are the "how to" books. It's always easier to write about what you know.

Once you select a topic, just start writing. Don't worry about editing - that comes later. Just getting something down on paper is a giant step. Anytime that you get writer's block, just walk away for awhile and relax. The more pressure you put on yourself, sometimes the less you actually get done! So be flexible and take time to enjoy the process.

Some writers claim that their best writing gets done at night when everyone else is sleeping. Others enjoy writing as the sun comes up. You'll soon find your best time for your creative juices to get flowing.

Now, just a decade ago, if you wanted to self-publish a book, you had to pre-purchase a case or two. Everyone who knows you would eventually get at least one copy for Christmas or birthdays. The rest usually ends up as yard sale fodder if you don't get out there and market your book!

Now, with so many print-on-demand publishers around, you can order one book at a time, and even have your book selling on Amazon and other online bookstores!

If there ever was a time to go for your writing dream, it's now. There's nothing to stop you! Go for it!

Bodily Changes and Healthy Aging

From the beginning of our birth, our body endures many changes. As we reach young adolescence, however the body experiences a series of senescence, or bodily changes abnormal, which the bodily functions start to decline. The body makes these changes, which most people will notice, the difference.


The musculoskeletal system is the first area that most diseases and illnesses start. For this reason once, a person turns 35 years of age regardless of their activities, athletic nature, etc. Still, one can reduce such disease by avoiding injuries to the muscles and joints. You can do this by avoiding accidents when possible, abuse, excessive alcohol, drugs, tobacco and so on. You can increase your health by exercising, eating healthy, socializing with positive people, and avoiding environmental toxins.


Visiting your doctor is essential to prevent disease as well. When you visit your doctor, he takes the time to study your physical status based on the family history you gave to him. The doctor will consider family history, including hereditary diseases. Your doctor will take family history into consideration as he studies diagnostics, cures, prevention, and treatment to help you avoid disease. As noted earlier, our body starts to refuse by age 35, which our sensory organs will also start to take a rain check. At this time, the eyes are affected since they cannot remain focused on objects up close. In medical terms, this condition is known as presbyopia. This is why you see many people in the world over the age 40 wearing glasses, contact lens, bifocals and so on. Still, you see the younger generation with these same needs, which is a clear sign that aging progression is starting earlier for some. This is a note signaling hereditary makeup, or lifestyle based on environment, etc.

Many people as they grow older lose a degree of hearing. In some instances, people go deaf after 40. This condition is called presbycusis, which is a sign of aging. Since this condition is common for those aging, it is natural to dislike things you once liked. For instance, if you enjoyed concerts when you were younger, and now find that you do not enjoy concerts at all, it is because your hearing has changed, which means that the high-pitch of hearing is affected, which slowly wore down the lower hearing tone. When hearing is impaired, it often seems like those talking are inarticulate. Since the hearing is tarnished, the person will hear speech differently. For instance, the use of K may sound distorted, which affects comprehension. In other words, a person older may here the CH in a word, such as Chute Up, and think that someone is telling them to shut-up. The CH is distorted. You can help those with hearing difficulties by learning sign and body languages to help them relate to you. These people can also benefit from hearing aids, or Assistive Listening Devices. The devices act as hearing aids, since it allows a person to block out noise in the background while focusing on the speaker.


We see natural healthy aging in this picture, yet in some instances aging signs are unnatural. For instance, if you incur lung cancer based on your history of smoking, or being around second-hand smoke, then the cause is unnatural.

As a person grows older his or her, weight changes as well and more so for those with family history of obesity. The body fat starts to change up to 30% by the time a person reaches 40. The changes affect the body tremendously, since this is the start of wrinkles and other natural aging signs.